Tom Hughes (radio host)
Encyclopedia
Tom Hughes is an American
radio personality. Until November 21, 2006, he was the host of a morning radio
news program on 640 WGST-AM in Atlanta, Georgia
.
Hughes had been broadcasting in the Atlanta area for decades, and was affectionately referred to as "The King" among his co-workers at Clear Channel
Atlanta. This is a nickname that was initiated by afternoon show host Kim Peterson
, who was let go on the same day.
. Tom spent nearly thirty years with the station, before resigning in November 2006.
Unlike other weekday shows on WGST, AM Atlanta was a news program rather than a talk program. Hughes didn't normally express many personal opinions on the show. Rather, he interviewed newsmakers, and talked about the day's news in a generally unbiased manner. Hughes did crack jokes about the day's events, though, especially entertainment stories.Hughes was let go in 1997 when WGST changed to Planet Radio. Hughes went to 680 WCNN until 2000 when he returned to WGST.
Tom's producer was Matt McClure
, and his technical operator was Matt Fields.
as midday host Denny Schaffer
, and afternoon host Kim Peterson
were also let go.
Hughes closed his final broadcast with words from the chorus of a World War II
song,
"Until we meet once again, you and I, wish me luck, as you wave me goodbye."
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
radio personality. Until November 21, 2006, he was the host of a morning radio
Radio
Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space...
news program on 640 WGST-AM in Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
.
Hughes had been broadcasting in the Atlanta area for decades, and was affectionately referred to as "The King" among his co-workers at Clear Channel
Clear channel
A clear-channel station is an AM band Radio station in North America that has the highest protection from interference from other stations, particularly concerning night-time skywave propagation. Usually known as class A stations since 1982, they are occasionally still referred to by their former...
Atlanta. This is a nickname that was initiated by afternoon show host Kim Peterson
Kim Peterson
Kim Peterson is a US television and radio journalist. From 1992 through 2006, he hosted a radio talk show on WGST-AM in Atlanta, GA. A United States Marine, he served in the Vietnam War. Before becoming a radio host, Peterson was a television anchor in Chicago and New Orleans.Peterson was on...
, who was let go on the same day.
AM Atlanta with Tom Hughes
AM Atlanta with Tom Hughes was the morning show on Atlanta's WGSTWGST (AM)
WGST AM 640 is a radio station licensed in the city of Atlanta, Georgia operating at a frequency of 640 kHz with 50,000 watts of power during the daytime, and 1,000 watts of power during nighttime hours...
. Tom spent nearly thirty years with the station, before resigning in November 2006.
Unlike other weekday shows on WGST, AM Atlanta was a news program rather than a talk program. Hughes didn't normally express many personal opinions on the show. Rather, he interviewed newsmakers, and talked about the day's news in a generally unbiased manner. Hughes did crack jokes about the day's events, though, especially entertainment stories.Hughes was let go in 1997 when WGST changed to Planet Radio. Hughes went to 680 WCNN until 2000 when he returned to WGST.
Tom's producer was Matt McClure
Matt McClure (broadcasting)
Matt McClure is an award-winning American journalist and actor. He is currently the co-host of Currents on New Evangelization Television in New York City. The nightly show features news and human interest stories from a Christian perspective....
, and his technical operator was Matt Fields.
Announcement on leaving WGST(AM)
On November 21, 2006, Hughes announced that this would be his last day. The reason that he was leaving was not disclosed either by Hughes or by the radio station management. However, it appears to be linked to a national restructuring by Clear ChannelClear channel
A clear-channel station is an AM band Radio station in North America that has the highest protection from interference from other stations, particularly concerning night-time skywave propagation. Usually known as class A stations since 1982, they are occasionally still referred to by their former...
as midday host Denny Schaffer
Denny Schaffer
Denny Schaffer is a radio talk show host based in Atlanta. He currently hosts a new morning show on WRNO-FM in New Orleans. He previously hosted an evening show on WGKA/920 in Atlanta from 9 - 11 pm which WGKA moved to 8- 10 pm a few months before Denny was offered his current gig in New...
, and afternoon host Kim Peterson
Kim Peterson
Kim Peterson is a US television and radio journalist. From 1992 through 2006, he hosted a radio talk show on WGST-AM in Atlanta, GA. A United States Marine, he served in the Vietnam War. Before becoming a radio host, Peterson was a television anchor in Chicago and New Orleans.Peterson was on...
were also let go.
Hughes closed his final broadcast with words from the chorus of a World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
song,
"Until we meet once again, you and I, wish me luck, as you wave me goodbye."